[UPDATED] Nurul Izzah confirms bid for PKR deputy president post

New Straits Times

09-05-2025

PERMATANG PAUH: PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar has offered herself as a candidate for the party's deputy presidency in the upcoming party elections.
Taking to her Facebook page, she said that if PKR delegates believed she was fit to shoulder this heavy responsibility and trust, she would do so.
"With Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I, Nurul Izzah Anwar, humbly offer myself as a candidate for the position of deputy president of PKR for the 2025–2028 term.
"If PKR delegates believe I am fit to shoulder this heavy responsibility and trust, InshaAllah, I will do my utmost for PKR," she said this afternoon.
Nurul Izzah said that over the past two days, she had seen some PKR supporters issuing personal attacks, calling her names and even mocking her marital status in their campaign messages.
She said she was personally saddened - not just by the slander, but by the fact that it came from within the PKR family.
"My appeal to all is this: never resort to rude or personal attacks against our leaders and comrades, especially those involving private matters.
"This is the party we have built together. We may clash in ideas and differ in opinion during this election, but let us always maintain decorum and wisdom. Argue with facts - not emotions, insults, slurs, or offensive language. 'The raft may drift, but the lotus will reunite.'
"To all PKR members, let us rebuild the internal strength of the party together. We must become the glue - of spirit, unity, and solidarity.
"We are respected because we uphold ideals and build bridges with component parties, making it easier for us to represent the people. Let's reignite our spirit of belonging and courage in facing challenges by strengthening the organisation and PKR's grassroots presence," she added.
Elaborating, Nurul Izzah said that at times, the decisions made were not the easiest or most comfortable, but they stemmed from a sense of responsibility.
She said she firmly believed the struggle did not belong to any one individual — it belonged to all those committed to the ideals of Reformasi since 1998.
She acknowledged that the rumours circulating over the past few days had sparked mixed reactions.
"Some - who have spoken to me directly - have welcomed it with hope, eager to see regeneration and renewal in the party.
"Others have expressed concern and asked me to reconsider, fearing that PKR may be labelled a 'family party.'
"I respect both views, as they come from a deep love for this party," she said, addressing the "family party" perception.
Nurul Izzah said that this was not a new accusation.
Since 1998, when she stood alongside the founders and reformists to establish PKR, this label had been used to belittle their struggle, she said.
She added that even when she won the vice-president position with the highest votes in 2010, 2014, and 2018, such attacks persisted.
"It was only in 2022 that I did not contest. Instead, I focused on supporting Ayuh Malaysia, through which I advocated for policies like TVET and climate change reform to improve daily life.
"The truth is, even if I were to contest for the vice-president post again this time, I would still be labelled as such.
"No matter the names or perceptions thrown at me over the years, I will continue to serve, InshaAllah - because I believe that open contests and grassroots mandates are not nepotism," she said.
On the contrary, she pointed out, this was the very foundation of democracy that must be upheld within the party.
Nurul Izzah also noted that in 2018, she resigned from the Public Accounts Committee in protest against then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's failure to ensure proper government spending oversight by allowing the opposition to lead the PAC.